The Greek word apologia means "to give a reasoned defense for what you believe to be true." It is used 19 times in the new Testament. 1 Peter 3:15 (Amplified) is one such instance.

"But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense (apologia) to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully"

We, as followers of Christ, are mandated to defend our faith in every area. This section is dedicated to answering the questions of many as to the authenticity of our faith as Christians. Though it will not give detailed answers, it will attempt to convey some core truths about Christianity.

Who made God?

The Bible speaks of God as being an infinite, eternal being. This means that He has always existed and no one created Him. He is eternal, has no beginning or end so He does not need a cause for being. Only something with a beginning has to have a cause. He simply is, always was, and always will be.

He who exists in eternity (outside of time) created time with both a beginning and an end. He also created everything and everyone in time. Everything and everyone has both a beginning and an end. Even time, the Bible tells us, will eventually come to an end. We who have a beginning and an end cannot comprehend a being who has no beginning or ending. This is where faith comes in. Paul, the Apostle said, 'But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him' (Hebrews 11:6).

This is not blind faith however, for the Bible says God has set eternity in the hearts of men. “He has also set eternity in the hearts of men.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV). There is an emptiness inside of all of us which cannot be filled by anyone or anything in time, only by the eternal God Himself. This is where the yearning to live forever that everyone has, comes from. We were made in God’s image and likeness, and we were made to live forever. Because of the original sin (which will be explained in another article), we now have a physical end. However, the desire to live forever and to know the One who made us is still very much a part our very being. This deep knowing within us, in some conscious and in others subconscious, tells us that there is a creator -- a God -- who is not subject to time, space, or matter and who is all-powerful and all-knowing; a God who is sovereign, holy, just and loving; a God who made us and intended us to always be connected to Him; a God we long so much to reverence and worship that we often instinctively make up our own Gods to worship and serve just so that this great emptiness in us can be filled…..instead of seeking the one true God who alone can complete us.

The Bible records the practices of men from ancient times concerning idolatry, and this has been passed on through generations. (2Kings 17:29) records, “Nevertheless, each national group made its own gods in the several towns where they settled, and set them up in the shrines.” Hence the many religions, traditions and philosophies birthed from the will, intellect and emotions of men. God severely warns against this practice, "Do not turn to idols or make gods of cast metal for yourselves. I am the LORD your God” (Lev 19:4). Idols referring not only to physical representations of Gods they created with their hands, but also that which they created/conceived in their minds and hearts; myths, possessions, ambition, pride, lust, or self. In the Bible, God speaks of the sin of creating and worshipping idols and how you “become defiled by the idols you have made. You have brought your days to a close, and the end of your years has come.” (Ezekiel 22:4) and of those who will harden their hearts against the true God until the end. “The rest of mankind ….still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk.” (Rev 9:20). We cannot be complete and whole with loving and worshipping each other, self, or the world. It is only when we are reconciled with the one true God that we are fulfilled.

For the ones who have stifled this emptiness and have come up with multiple philosophies and theories to persuade themselves that there is no God, they simply do so out of sheer pride and a desire to exalt self above everything else so that they would not have to be subject to any absolute moral authority. In this case, they have made self a God. They now only answer to self and only love self. The Word of God says they are fools. "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God'" (Psalm 14:1; 53:1). For they have evidence of a God. First they have the invisible evidence which is a deep knowing in their hearts, and even when they suppress this deep inner knowledge, they have the visible outward evidence that is displayed throughout the universe. The Bible says, from the outward things that God created, His invisible existence and nature can be clearly seen so that man is without excuse. 'For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse' (Romans 1:20).

The fact that God has no maker is no excuse to believe that there is no God. Man was created with this inner knowledge and the outward evidence is all around us. If you would like to know the one true God simply ask Him to reveal Himself to you. You may also read the article on “How does one find the true God?” posted on http://www.torahministry.org in the “apologetics” section under “manna”